Children with special needs and disabilities from around the country including Samoa, today, flocked to the ANZ National Stadium to participate at the 2013 National Games for Special and Inclusive Athletes.
Addressing the participants was the Ministry of Youth and Sports permanent secretary Mr Joseva Sania who emphasized that sports fostered greater inclusion and well-being for persons with disabilities.
“Sports work to improve the inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities in two ways, by changing what communities think and feel about persons with disabilities think and by changing what persons with disabilities think and feel about themselves.
He said that this reduces stigma and discrimination associated with disability and empowers persons with disabilities to recognize their own potential and advocate changes in society.
“The community impact and individual impact of sport help reduce the isolation of persons with disabilities and integrate them more fully into community life,” Mr Sania said.
Fijian government has taken major strides to provide equal opportunities and empowerment of people living with disability in Fiji supporting the International Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons.
“Your government of today has a great commitment through the Ministry of Youth and Sports to assist our youth population to realize and develop their potential and participate meaningfully in our nation building effort.
“We have a challenge to equip disabled persons with skills necessary to put them on par with the rest of the society.
“To the participants, you are special in every way as a young person. Prove to the other young people that you are as good as them by utilizing your talent to the best of your ability,” Mr Sania said.
The Fiji Special Education Teachers Association president Mr Bishwa Sidal commended government’s intervention for the facilitation of the games as they could not find sponsors for the event.
“We would like to thank the government for coming in as we had difficulties in finding sponsors, the Fiji Sports Commission who sponsored the facility.
“This would also be an opportunity for the athletes to show their abilities and count on the sports ministry and government to include these athletes for viable spots in international games,” Mr Sidal said.
The two day event was organised by the Fiji Special Education Teachers Association, Special Olympics, and managements of special schools with the Fiji National Sports Commission.
The theme of the games "Increasing Unity of Children through Sports" was an opportune occasion for children from Suva, Nadi, Levuka, Ra, Nausori and Samoa to show their abilities and make new friends.
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